Obesity and cancer: Information for Health Professionals

Does obesity cause cancer?

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of 13 types of cancer. Although more research is needed to fully understand this in detail, academic and scientific studies suggest there are three key explanations.

Obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking in the UK, but research shows that only 15% of the public are aware of the link.

That’s why we’re running another national advertising campaign. Look out for our obesity awareness campaign live 24 September to 21 October.

You might find some of your patients come to you with questions. Talking to patients about their weight can be difficult, but emerging evidence shows that patients trust and value health professional advice and having conversations could make a significant impact (Aveyard, P. 2016).

Patient FAQs about obesity and cancer

Patients may come to you with questions about the link between obesity and cancer and might have questions about what it means for them.

Brief interventions for weight

Your local obesity care pathway

Your local obesity care pathway will tell you where and how to refer patients to a weight management service. Contact the Public Health team at your local authority for tier 2 and 3 services and the clinical commissioning group for tier 4.

Cancer risk patient tool

Use our cancer risk tool as a conversation starter with patients to see how habits stack up and what they can do to maximise their cancer prevention potential.

Tackling obesity in the UK

We are tackling obesity in a similar way to tobacco; by impacting policy to change the environment and by raising public awareness. We want the Government to protect future generations against obesity by restricting junk food averts on TV before 9pm.

Can primary care have an impact on obesity?

Collective action is needed to tackle obesity. Whilst policies can make a big difference, health professionals can be advocates for these policies. At the individual level, what happens in primary care will also contribute to change.

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